Wednesday, December 18, 2013

East Coast Beer With East Coast Seafood - On the West Coast

Connie and Ted's is a Los Angeles seafood place that hits the nail right on the head, according to some East Coast seafood aficionados I know. The eatery does seafood like it's done "back East," as transplants are fond of referencing.

I loved the food, and the good marks it gets from people who like their seafood authentic are enough for me.

Looking at the beer and wine lists, it is apparent that they look for wines and brews that are more artisanal than mass produced. By-the-glass wine offerings range from eight to 15 dollars and do not suffer from burnout of having been seen too often, while the beers are largely American small-producer craft brews from California, Oregon and a handful of other states. The wines come from California, France, Italy and Portugal, for the most part.

The East Coast bias is noticeable only in a few of the beers. Victory Brewing Company of Downingtown, Pennsylvania contributes a stellar pilsner that fits well with the menu.

Victory's Prima Pils has great color - a beautiful yellow-gold - with a head that is white and frothy. The German-style pilsner has a nose that carries a bit of hops, but not as much as an IPA. The 5.3% alcohol is easy to take, and the taste is malty with the bitter hops playing a role. Some citrus notes come forward, too, but the malty quality is the hallmark. A little citrus plays out on the finish, and it was a perfect complement to the lobster roll and the New England clam chowder - which is done brothy, not creamy. I'm told this is how New England clam chowder is rightly done in the northeast.